South Korea’s Constitutional Court Reinstates Impeached Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as Acting President
In a dramatic twist to South Korea’s ongoing political crisis, the Constitutional Court has ruled to reinstate Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as the acting president.
This decision comes after lawmakers previously impeached him over his role in the martial law debacle declared by President Yoon Suk Yeol in December.
On Monday, the court dismissed the impeachment of Han, ruling five-to-one in his favor. The court emphasized that Han’s actions in office did not amount to a betrayal of the people’s trust, which was indirectly granted through the president.
Furthermore, two judges argued that the case should never have reached the court, as lawmakers lacked the supermajority required to impeach him.
The ruling comes as South Korea grapples with a political crisis that began with President Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law in December.
His move was swiftly rejected by lawmakers who defied armed soldiers to vote down the declaration, leading to his impeachment.
Han stepped in as acting president, only to be impeached himself in January amid disputes over judicial appointments and his role in the martial law episode.
In a statement following the court’s decision, Han thanked the Constitutional Court for its “wise ruling,” calling for unity in the face of the nation’s bitter political divisions. “Our priority is to move forward,” Han stated, stressing that now is the time to heal the country’s polarized political landscape.
This ruling is significant not only for Han’s reinstatement but also in light of the ongoing impeachment trial of President Yoon.
The Constitutional Court has yet to deliver a verdict on Yoon’s impeachment, with the case becoming the longest in the court’s history.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has criticized the delays, arguing that the nation is suffering due to the Constitutional Court’s failure to address Yoon’s actions swiftly.
“The entire nation is losing sleep over Yoon Suk Yeol’s illegal military coup,” Lee said, highlighting the economic and international consequences of the ongoing uncertainty.
If Yoon’s impeachment is upheld, South Korea will face the need for fresh elections within 60 days. However, legal experts have pointed out that the ruling on Han does not directly impact the upcoming decision on Yoon’s impeachment, as the court focused solely on Han’s involvement in the martial law declaration rather than the legality of the martial law itself.
As the nation braces for the verdict on Yoon’s case, Monday’s ruling on Han has ignited new debates, with supporters of Yoon’s People Power Party welcoming Han’s reinstatement.
Lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong from the ruling party called the impeachment of Han politically motivated, urging the opposition to apologize for “paralyzing state affairs” for 87 days with their hasty impeachment.
With protests mounting and tensions rising, South Korea’s political drama continues to unfold, with the nation’s future hanging in the balance.
